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Minnesota lawmakers reach deal to legalize medical marijuana

Medical Marijuana Minnesota

Kendra Miller, left, and Angela Garin, advocates for medical marijuana hold photos of relatives, loved ones and members of families who couldn't attend the hearing as the bill was debated on the Senate floor Tuesday, May 6, 2014, in St. Paul, Minn.
(AP Photo/Glen Stubbe)

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Minnesota lawmakers said Thursday they reached a deal to legalize medical marijuana that Gov. Mark Dayton would sign.

They were set to detail the agreement at an afternoon news conference.

House and Senate negotiators had been working to reconcile their bills. The House passed a more restrictive measure that shaped up as the one backed by Dayton and unopposed by law enforcement.

It had fewer qualifying medical conditions, fewer dispensaries, a single manufacturing facility, and didn't let patients use the actual leaf. The Senate bill was more liberal in all areas and would have let patients have up to 2.5 ounces of plant material. Neither bill permits smoking the drug.

Advocates for patients have been worried about the drug being too hard for ill people to get.

Minnesota would become the 22nd state to allow medical marijuana, plus the District of Columbia.

An early effort on the issue stalled in the House when advocates and Dayton reached an impasse over what the legislation would include. Dayton, who had long wanted law enforcement support before getting on board, proposed a research study that would examine the medical effects of marijuana. Supporters rejected the idea, arguing patients needed immediate access.